Aggies Blitz: Five things to watch vs. Auburn

Published 11:01 am, Saturday, November 4, 2017

Photo: Michael Woods, FRE

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Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) has guided the Tigers to a 6-2 record and the No. 14 spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Auburn's losses to Clemson and LSU were by a combined 12 points.

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) has guided the Tigers to a 6-2 record and the No. 14 spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Auburn's losses to Clemson and LSU were by a combined 12 points.

Photo: Michael Woods, FRE

Aggies Blitz: Five things to watch vs. Auburn

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COLLEGE STATION – Following its 35-14 home loss to Mississippi State a week ago, Texas A&M is trying to keep this from being yet another November that fans would like to forget. Minus further ado five things to watch in this quirky SEC West series:

Visitor cookingThe guest has won all five of the teams' previous meetings as division foes, since A&M joined the SEC in 2012. No one knows why – but everyone knows that No. 14 Auburn is a double-digit favorite again on Saturday.

QuarterbacksJarrett Stidham of Stephenville wanted to be an Aggie, but Kevin Sumlin went with other options. Auburn's Stidham is bent on showing Sumlin what he missed out on on Saturday. Meanwhile A&M starter Kellen Mond might be on a short leash against the Tigers, considering Sumlin is coaching for his job. Look for Nick Starkel should Mond stumble early.

Jeff HollandThe Tigers' defensive end is doing his best Myles Garrett impression – Holland leads the SEC with eight sacks and will be a handful for A&M's oft-maligned offensive tackles.

Kerryon JohnsonThe Auburn running back leads the nation with 14 rushing touchdowns, and will carry the load for the Tigers offense. Look for Auburn to pound away with Johnson, and then have Stidham try and hit the biting Aggies over the top.

CrowdBased on last week's deflation and a morning start, this is shaping up as A&M's smallest crowd of the season. It's one more reason Sumlin's job is in jeopardy – A&M chancellor John Sharp is trying to fill those seats.